Avalon and Kelly

Moving To WordPress

2013-09-13T11:50:00.002-04:00

I am moving my blog over to Wordpress. I will be updating this blog until the whole process is done. Today I posted a video of my old love on holiday. http://newsconsultant.net/avalonandkelly/the-holiday/ Let me know what you think.

Updates On My Fitness And Health Progress

2013-09-11T14:23:00.001-04:00

A diet rich in soy and whey protein, found in products such as soy milk and low-fat yogurt, has been shown to reduce breast cancer incidence in rats. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How I am doing on my Life Makeover

The past month has seen some positive changes in my life. I have focused on taking back my health and the results have been tremendous. I added a new diet, working out and drinking lots of water.

A new diet means a complete change in my food choices and eating habits. I am a diabetic and my numbers were going through the roof. I literally couldn't do anything but sit around and sleep all day. I had no desire to a thing.

This is no way to live life so I made the decision to change my eating. The first thing I did was cut portions. Just that little change made a big difference. Then I pinpoint that carbs are my enemy. I cut them down but I realize now that I have to almost eliminate them all together to see some weight-loss.

I started seeing a dietician a few months ago. She has guided me in making healthier choices and portion control. The diet is really a change in eating. I have learned to eat my protein first, veggies second and carbs last. It helps you cut down on how much you eat.

I am an off and on water drinker. I gave up soda months ago and have replaced it with water, crystal light or tea. Making that change has cut down on my bloating.

I make sure I drink a protein shake 1-2 times a day. It does a great job keeping you full.

The past few months I have been having terrible back pain. My evil insurance company will not pay to have it treated so I have had to live with it. This gave me an excuse not to exercise . I realized my lack of exercise was causing me to have a further weight gain and have a complete lack of energy. I actually started to miss going to the gym so I signed up again. This time I have made a commitment to go 3-4x a week. So far I am sticking to it.

The changes I have made have given me some good benefits. I no longer suffer from the lack of energy. My blood sugar numbers have reached normal levels. My skin is glowing from the water and the working out. My clothes are fitting better.

Have you made some changes that have paid off for you?

Question of The Day

2013-09-11T11:40:00.000-04:00

It's hot and muggy here. Anyone want the cooler weather now? #newengland #fall #summer #weather
— Jeanine Marie (@AvalonandKelly) September 11, 2013

CHANEL, Once Upon A Time - Inside CHANEL

2013-09-11T11:31:00.001-04:00

For the first time, Inside CHANEL tells the story of a young orphan who became a legend: Gabrielle Chanel. And the story continues with Karl Lagerfeld, who shares his vision of Coco and the style of CHANEL. Five films to recount a myth, online beginning September 12th.

Trina Turk Winter Luxe. Holiday. 2013

2013-09-11T11:16:00.000-04:00

A Look At Trina Turk's Winter Holiday 2013 Collection

Let's go to a gallery art opening in sexy style! Trina Turk's Winter Luxe and Holiday collections allow you to celebrate in chic, casual, sexy style! Dresses for all occasions, color and print let you stand out in a crowd.

Fall's Best - Pictures I have taken over the years

2013-09-10T13:28:00.000-04:00

Photos by Jeanine Marie

Here are some pictures I have taken over the years in New Jersey and Connecticut. I hope to get some good shots this year. Fall is my favorite time to take pictures. What is your favorite season of the year?

2013-09-10T09:47:00.000-04:00

What do you look for in workout clothes? #questions #workout #gym #fashion
— Jeanine Marie (@AvalonandKelly) September 10, 2013

Changes Coming Soon

2013-09-10T09:12:00.003-04:00

My Blog is going to go through a makeover

Changes are coming soon. As much as I like Blogger I decided to switch over to a Wordpress blog. I am running into too many issues with my current set up. Thankfully I have a couple of friends who have been very helpful and will keep my costs down to a minimal. I hope you will stick around and join me at the new blog when I am done.
I do have a favor to ask of you. Just some questions that will help me design a better blog. Are you ready?

What keeps you coming back to a blog?
What features do you like to see?
Do you want to read about people’s personal life?
Any suggestions?

I would really appreciate your help here. I know there are thousands of blogs to choose from and I want people to choose mine of course. Let me hear your feedback. Thank you to those of you would visit my blog.

Dita Von Teese For HSN

2013-09-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

The Lovely Dita Von Teese

The more I see Dita Von Teese interviewed, the more I really like and admire her. She speaks her mind, is independent and oh so creative. I was looking on the HSN website and noticed some new styles and limited quantities. There is also a new perfume. Go have a look.

Links I Love–Fashion Edition 1

2013-09-09T14:32:00.002-04:00

Pantone has announced the color of the year 2014. Dazzling Blue 18-3949 will be hitting the scene next spring. Pretty isn’t it? I can see jackets, shoes and purses in this color as well as bold prints. Will you be wearing this color?

Of all the Fashion Week coverage I have seen so far, Trina Turk never lets me down. Her California chic styles make me proud of being from CA. Playful, light and muted colors are a nice change from screaming neon and girly pastels. What do you think of this collection?

Looking for some beautiful knitwear ? Look no further than the Good Night Day. I own two beautiful hand-made scarves that gets me compliments every time I wear them out. Don’t be discouraged to see the sold out sign on a item you want because they do custom orders!

When I found out that a new start-up was going to make and sell vintage lingerie, I couldn't wait! When The Loved One opened the first thing I bought was Sin in the Suburbs, panties. Since then, they have added many items to their shop. Go have a look their online store and tell me what you think.

Prim and Propah: My Fall Mood Board

2013-09-08T17:07:00.001-04:00

I love the Prim and Propah blog. Check out this latest post about Mood Boards.

Prim and Propah: My Fall Mood Board: I have been visiting the Mood Fabrics ' site pretty much every day, checking out their most recent arrivals and most definitely their Fall a...

Google Plus Users Come Out and Say Hello!

2013-09-08T16:54:00.002-04:00

Lets all drool over the Tom Ford Cosmetics Collection

Google Plus users. I get a good number of hits and return visits but no one ever stops to leave a comment or +1. Let me know you are out there. If you have a fashion/beauty blog

let me know so I can check it out.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

The Best Of Fall - The Weekends

2013-09-08T12:22:00.002-04:00

Fall Fashions for the weekend

The Best Of Fall - The Weekends by jeaninemarie featuring Talbots

Pantone's Color Report For Spring 2014 Is Very Flirty

2013-09-07T14:56:00.000-04:00

Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2014

We are technically still in summer but here is a sneak peak at spring 2014

The spring shows are in full swing and the colors are most impressive. Pantone's Color Report Spring 2014 have arrived. The colors look muted to me as well as some brights here and there. Don't know what the color of the year is going to be. I think it is going to be a blue shade or they could trick us with shades or reds or purple. Have any predictions?

Sign Up For My Newsletter

2013-09-06T18:49:00.000-04:00

Newsletter Updated two times a month

I am making big changes in my life and I would like to share with you the news. As I have mentioned here before, I am going through a life-makeover. Health, fitness, organizing, fashion and beauty.

Some of the topics will not be posted on the blog so if you want the inside scoop, sign-up for the newsletter. The first one will be out around the 15th. I plan on including, extra pictures, before-and-after and maybe a video.

Just hit the follow by email button and put in your info.

Most Wanted - From Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

2013-09-06T17:52:00.000-04:00

I love Jouer Cosmetics. Recently they added shades of red lipstick for every skin type, a new mascara and three new shades of the Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner. I am going to get the Leopard and Lynx. I can't wait!

Do you like Jouer Cosmetics? What products do you like?

Introducing Fall 2013 Kate Spade New York

2013-09-06T16:49:00.000-04:00

This season we're all about the sites, sounds, colors and architecture of New York city. In this crazy town, anything goes! Including the introduction of a very special new bag: the 2 Park Avenue beau.

A Preview of Fall

2013-09-06T16:37:00.000-04:00

What is going on this weekend

Penelope is "helping" with the closet. She is supervising.

It’s been chilly the past couple of mornings. I find myself wearing socks to bed and getting an extra blanket. When looking out the window, I see the leaves changing. What we have here is a preview of Fall.

When I wake up, instead of my usual ice coffee I find myself making cappuccino. Football is on Sundays. I love this time of year. Saying good-bye to one season and saying hello to another. One of the reasons I moved to New England was to experience the seasons. I have never regretted it. People can’t understand why I left California.

This week I have returned to the gym. I really miss going and it felt great to come back. Today was my second personal training session. I have one more but I do not think I need it. Working out if coming back to me! When I left the gym, I was thrilled to see a yoga studio nearby. I will definitely check it out.

This will be the first weekend I have no company in over a month. This means I have no excuse to make some progress on my closet project. I am adding a second bar to my closet so I can have another row to hang clothes. I need the space.

I do not know if I ever mentioned that I am a YouTube fanatic. I can’t get enough of the beauty gurus and a few funny people on there. I thought I would give a plug for a few of my favorites.

First up is Tati from Glam Life Guru She is a delight to watch. She does mostly reviews of drugstore and high-end cosmetics. Her reviews are well-rounded and she is approachable if you have a question or want to make a request.
Across the pond is FleurDeForce . She is another lady who enjoyable to watch. From her country home, she reviews high-end products and some drug store items. She makes frequent trips to America so her reviews are international.
I really like Hair Stylist Theodore Leaf. His channel features tutorials on how to incorporate the latest trends in hair styles and color. He also does a question and answer videos.

I have a lot of channel recommendations. I think I will post them every week. The people I mentioned today are popular but maybe you will make a new discovery. If you have any recommendations, let me know. Have yourself a great weekend.

Shadows and Light - Photography

2013-09-05T20:08:00.000-04:00

I love Capturing The Shadows and Light

All photos by Jeanine Marie

This Week–9/5/2013 -Things I Am Digging

2013-09-05T18:37:00.001-04:00

What I am digging this week

This Week I Am Digging

I always felt that September is a new beginning. We go back to school, start new jobs and change our schedules. This week for me it meant starting back up at the gym. It felt good to be back. I didn’t mind the soreness at all.

Here are some other things I am digging this week:

I have been listening to some old-school Rolling Stones. The Brian Jones years were always my favorite. He really gave them their unique sound.
Thinking about starting my closet project. I have ten days to get it done. Something has to be done because I have entirely too many clothes!
Congratulations to Rachel Zoe and her family. A new addition to their family is on the way.
I saw leopard jeans at Kohls I just have to have.
The first signs of fall are making a sneak peek. The mornings are chilly and the leaves are starting to turn.
Have you seen the film version of Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon? It stars Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. I just love this movie.

It's Time To Say Good Night

2013-09-04T23:38:00.000-04:00

In other words, my blog writer is broken

The program I use to write my blog keeps crashing. So I will leave you with this very cool vintage photo. That is some bling she has on her fingers, not to mention the very cool almond shaped nails. Have a good night.

Fashion Flash Back - Vogue 1961

2013-09-03T23:33:00.000-04:00

Autumn Mood - Photography

2013-09-02T13:47:00.001-04:00

The Clashing Of The Seasons

Photo by Jeanine Marie

I am in a funky mood today. A few weeks ago I was feeling so good about my future and today I feel lost. Maybe it is the three straight days of thunderstorms that has me feeling off. The summer has come and gone so quickly I do not feel I got to experience it.

Today I look out my window and see sections of the trees turning into an autumn gold. Like the picture above, It is caught between seasons. We know who wins this one but for once I would like summer to stay a little longer.

Fall 2013 Wardrobe Picks

2013-09-01T13:00:00.001-04:00

Shopping Your Own Closet

Pieces from my personal wardrobe

I did a little wardrobe shopping this past week.

This season is about coming up with new outfits straight from my closet. I spent the last couple of weeks weeding out my closets. I was so surprised to find a bag of dry cleaning I had forgotten about. More sweaters and blouses to add to my current collection. Score!

Pictured above is some pieces I already own. The leopard coat is from Talbots that I picked up a few years ago but didn't have altered. I have the sweater, jeans and necklace already.

The next two sweaters I picked up at Kohls. The first sweater is lightweight and makes a great transition piece. The knit poncho I have worn for the past two seasons. It goes with almost everything I own so I am going to be wearing it again this season.

I absolutely love the vintage purse with the gold chain. The style is classic and I will be using it on a regular basis.

The cashmere poncho was an investment piece. I always wanted to own one and can't wait to use it as a blanket on the plane. I like the way this outfit is styled and I will be recreating it piece by piece.

The winter boots I have in black too. They are so comfortable and have served me well in the cold winter months.

This doesn't mean I will not be doing some shopping. I want to work with what I already own.

Will you be shopping your own closet this season? What are your favorite pieces you like to wear over again?

Fall Boots - Personal Collection

2013-08-30T12:50:00.000-04:00

My Collection Of Boots For Fall 2013

Brown Boots In Different Finsishes

I couldn't photograph all my boots but here are some of my favorite I will be wearing this upcoming Fall season. I can't wait to sport the Hunters Boots. It is my first pair. I was so happy to find them in a glossy brown.

Will you be wearing boots this season? What types do you prefer?